Xiaoxiao was speechless. Why was it that whenever she did not want to encounter someone, she would inevitably run into them?
"As you all can see, the calligraphy and paintings are sold. Please disperse, I am also closing up!"
She hurriedly packed up her things.
"Thank you for your support today. I will come again if I get the chance!"
Seeing Yang Ming arrive, Xiaoxiao quickly dispersed the crowd, and only then did everyone reluctantly leave.
"Young Master Chu, what a coincidence, hehe."
Xiaoxiao gave a foolish grin to conceal her embarrassment at that moment.
Seeing Xiaoxiao’s hands reddened from the cold, Chu Lian’s heart ached. Just how badly did her family need money!
"I have something to discuss with her, you go back to the Academy first!"
Chu Lian also had his own ulterior motives. He pulled Yang Ming aside and said with his back towards Xiaoxiao! It was best not to let them meet until he had investigated whether this girl was indeed Yang Ming’s wife or not.
Yang Ming understood what Chu Lian meant and tactfully left. Xiaoxiao watched Yang Ming’s departing figure, feeling a sense of familiarity!
Chu Lian: "Let’s go! To Yuelai Restaurant!"
Xiaoxiao: "That... there’s really no need to go!"
Chu Lian: "Do you want your hands to be ruined?"
Xiaoxiao, in her effort to make money, wrote incessantly and completely forgot about her hands which were stiff and red from the cold. It was only after Chu Lian mentioned it that she realized her hands were nearly numb with cold, so she obediently followed Chu Lian to the Yuelai Restaurant.
Upon arriving at the private room, Chu Lian had Xiao’er bring a brazier and ordered a table full of dishes.
Seeing such thoughtfulness from the wealthy young man, Xiaoxiao felt she owed him a rather large debt of gratitude!
Xiaoxiao: "How about... I’ll just give you the calligraphy and painting!"
Chu Lian: "Aren’t you in desperate need of money?"
Xiaoxiao: "Not at all, not at all, that was purely a hobby, just for my own enjoyment!"
Xiaoxiao thought to herself that she could make do with a couple of silvers for now. Besides, she could still earn nine hundred coins a day from selling spicy cabbage, and she could make a few more silvers by working at the furniture shop. Though it might be tight, it would be enough to get by. She was determined not to owe the wealthy young man any favors, so she insisted on giving the calligraphy and painting to Chu Lian. After the meal, she bought some materials and went home.
Seeing Xiaoxiao’s stubbornness, Chu Lian had no choice but to accept the calligraphy and painting. Watching her leave, he thought to himself what a stubborn girl she was!
"Knock knock!" A knocking sound rang out.
"Young Master, the people who went to investigate have returned!"
Chu Lian’s heart raced, dreading to hear the answer he did not want to hear!
"Young Master, the investigation revealed that the girl’s name is Zhong Xiaoxiao, from Yang Family Village. She is the new bride taken by Scholar Yang Ming more than twenty days ago!"
"Clang!" The sound of a teacup hitting the floor echoed. He had heard exactly what he wished not to hear.
"Young Master, should I continue?"
Seeing the Young Master’s reaction, the person hesitated to speak further.
"According to the villagers, Zhong Xiaoxiao spent all the money as soon as she arrived at Yang Ming’s home, and she is known among them as someone who squanders money excessively!"
"Stop talking! Leave!"
Chu Lian couldn’t bear to hear any more and gestured for the messenger to go away.
How could it be possible? He did not believe it. He chose to believe only what he had seen for himself.
The one who was proactive and diligent, the one who wasn’t greedy or dishonest, the one who was stubborn yet adorable, the one who was wonderfully quirky.
However, none of that mattered now. What was important was Zhong Xiaoxiao’s identity; she was the wife of his good brother Yang Ming!
And he had heard that Yang Ming was forced into it, which meant that Zhong Xiaoxiao must have taken a liking to Yang Ming. Did that not mean his own chances were gone?